Tuesday, 6 May 2014

Brandon Chase has always defined himself by one thing: football. Tough and athletic, he is a great college player who enjoys the hard hits and the sweaty grind of the gridiron. But when Brandon is injured, only one person can help him get back on track-a forbidden love he's desperately tried to put behind him.

Alec Andrews has never quite forgiven Brandon for walking away when their friendship turned into something more. But he can't deny help to one of his closest friends. As the two spend the long, hot summer working together, their old attraction comes flooding back.

Now as Alec thinks about coming out to his conservative family and Brandon considers revealing he's a gay football player, the two men must be strong to fight for a love that could be the greatest rush of their lives.

“I want you to smile again too. It’s in there, Brand. I saw it
tonight. When you had the ball and then when we were talking to my dad.”

I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do but it’s the only thing I
can do. Even if I wanted to, I
couldn’t stop myself. I step toward Alec and slide my free hand around the back
of his neck. It only takes a gentle tug to bring him even closer, his hand
moving to the same place on me that mine rests on him.

Alec closes his eyes and drops his forehead to mine. Neither of us
talk, and I wonder if he’s just feelingthe
way I am. It’s that same rush that sweeps through me every time I touch him, my
nerve endings like live wires, sparking with electricity. Everything inside me
screams that this is right. He’s
right. How can anyone not understand this? How can I fight us?

INTERVIEW:

1.A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.

A love story about two men who want nothing more than to love each other, and to figure out, and be okay with who they are.

2.How did you choose your characters’ names?

I can’t say really. I just went through names until something felt right. Alec’s name did go back and forth between Alex and Alec a few times.

3.What can you tell us about your couple, that we won't find in the book?

They go on to make a difference not just in their own lives and as a couple, but in the world.

4.Tell us about your new book.

It’s a love story. It’s probably more of a love story, rather than a romance, than anything I’ve ever written. It’s about two people who are in love with each other when the book starts. All they’ve ever wanted is to love each other. They just have to find a way to do that, and to be okay with who they are. Alec and Brandon spent four summers together, in secret and now that they’re older, they’ve been brought back together. This time, they can’t walk away.

5.Which of your characters has been the most fun to write so far?

This is a really hard one for me because I really love both of these boys. They’re both very special to me. I don’t know that Brandon was more fun to write than Alec, but I do feel a special closeness to Brandon and has struggle.

6.What is the secret to staying in love with your characters to see your story through to the end?

Wow. Great question. I’m not sure there is a secret. I just think it’s important to make sure your characters are real and as layered as possible. To make them the kind of people you feel for, and pull for. People you continue to discover new things about.

7.What’s one characteristic that you like to give all your heroes?

Big-hearts. Some of my boys may be bad boys, but they all have big hearts.

8.What scene did you have the most fun writing?

Again, this wasn’t really a fun scene but it really stuck with me. It’s the scene where Alec and Brandon go to talk with Brandon’s parents. I can’t say more than that.

9.What would be the soundtrack to RUSH?

This Years Love by David Gray, New York by Snow Patrol, Outlaws of Love by Adam Lambert, Please Forgive me by Bryan Adams, to name a few.

10.What is a common misconception about male/male or any LGBT romance?

That it’s somehow different than other romance novels. Love is love, it doesn’t matter the gender, so while certain specifics may change, at the base they’re the same—love stories.

Man, I’m not sure. There weren’t any that were specifically funny. I love it when she makes comments about how sweet a certain part is, or what it’s making her feel, though.

12.What is the most interesting thing you learned from research?

I did quite a bit of research on Brandon’s injury and it was fascinating.

13.What would readers be surprised to find out about you?

That I don’t eat bread. Not because of diet but because I think it’s gross. I can’t handle the texture. LOL.

14.Tell us about your writing process. Do you start with an idea or a character? Do you know what’s going to happen from the beginning or do you figure it out as you write?

It’s different for each book. I never do it the exact same. Most of my books start with the characters though. I usually have some ideas in my head and know where I need to get the story, then I just starting writing. After I have a quarter or so written I feel more comfortable in the story and then I start to plot a little more.

15.What’s one book you read in the last 6 months that has left a lasting impression and why?

The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd. It was real, honest and gritty. Even though things didn’t go exactly how I wanted, I understood why they didn’t.

~~~~~~

About the Author:

Writing has always been Nyrae Dawn's passion. Nyrae gravitates toward character-driven stories. She loves going on emotional journeys with characters whether it be reading or writing. And yes, she's a total romantic at heart and proud.

Nyrae resides in sunny Southern California with her husband (who still makes her swoon) and her two awesome kids.

When she's not with her family, you can be pretty sure you'll find her with a book in her hand or her laptop and an open document in front of her. Nyrae also writes adult romance under the name Kelley Vitollo.

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